Best in Governance Awards: Where Parks Bring Communities to Life

Parks and recreation are where cities come alive. They’re the trails where residents find peace, the fields where kids play, and the community centers where people connect and grow. The Best in Governance Awards for Parks and Recreation honor communities that make these moments possible — places where public spaces foster wellness, belonging, and joy for all.

The Best in Governance Awards are based on extensive, high-quality data, including results from National Community Survey (NCS) and national indicators from Government Performance Action and Learning (GPAL). Together, these measures paint a vivid picture of how communities excel and evolve in one of the most visible and valued aspects of livability.

Voice of the People Award: What Residents Love Most

Winners of the Voice of the People Award in Parks and Recreation are those whose residents rated their local park systems among the best in the nation. These top-performing communities earned high praise for the overall quality of parks and recreation opportunities, including city parks, recreation programs and facilities, fitness opportunities, and the availability of paths and walking trails. Their success reflects a deep commitment to designing spaces that invite connection, health, and enjoyment — and to listening to what residents value most.

Community Impact Award: Turning Vision Into Place

The Community Impact Award highlights communities that translate vision into tangible impact. These leaders stand out for expanding access to parks and open spaces, creating safe and connected trail systems, and maintaining strong infrastructure for recreation and play. Their achievements are reflected in objective measures of access, quality, and equity — showing how data-driven planning and investment can build healthier, more vibrant cities.

🏆Top Performers for Parks & Recreation

Congratulations to this year’s Top Performers for their exceptional work advancing parks and recreation in their communities. Whether recognized for high resident satisfaction or transformational progress, these local governments set the standard for excellence in livability.

Excellence - Voice of the People

• City of Ann Arbor, Michigan
• City of Ashland, Oregon
• City of Coronado, California
• City of Eagan, Minnesota
• City of Park City, Utah

Transformation - Voice of the People

• Chesterfield County, Virginia
• City of Elk Grove, California
• Jackson County, Michigan
• Village of Palm Springs, Florida
• City of Pearland, Texas

Excellence - Community Impact

• Arlington County, Virginia
• City of Cherry Hills Village, Colorado
• City of Foster City, California
• City of Hillsborough, California
• City of Mercer Island, Washington

What’s Next

Together, these communities set the bar for how local governments can design, plan, and deliver housing and neighborhood development that truly supports resident well-being.

🎉 The National Champions will be announced live at the ICMA Annual Conference in October in Tampa, Florida.

👏 Congratulations to all of this year’s Top Performers! We’re honored to showcase your leadership in building stronger, smarter, and more connected communities. Visit our awards page for more information about Best in Governance Awards.